For Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas I wanted to share a recipe. But, since this is a such a special series, I decided to share three with you! Exciting stuff, right?

All of today’s recipes were inspired by the new seasonal beverage collection from Bolthouse Farms. The drinks are delicious on their own, so I knew they would make a fabulous additions to holiday libations and treats. (There is a $1.00 coupon for IBC readers too! Just click here.)

We’ll start things off with a couple cocktails. Then I’ll show you a quick way to give a standard cake mix a big flavor boost.

Even though fall has faded away, I will still gladly savor anything pumpkin for as long as I can. So, using the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Bolthouse, I decided to whip up a Pumpkin Spice Martini.

There’s nothing more exciting than getting a martini glass with an interesting sugar rim. For this drink, I rimmed the glass with a combination of sugar and pumpkin pie spice to really bring out the flavors.

In this drink I’m also using a new-to-me liquor. It’s called Velvet Cinn and is a combination of cream, cinnamon and rum. Delicious!

However, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is the star of the show. It’s made with real pumpkin puree, is low in fat, and contains protein and calcium, so you don’t feel so bad about indulging.

Let me show you how to whip up this drink.

Pumpkin Spice Martini

Here’s what you’ll need:

3 ounces Bolthouse Pumpkin Spice Latte
1 ounce Cruzan Velvet Cinn (Horchata with Rum)
1 ounce vanilla vodka
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup sugar

Let’s get shaking:

Begin by combining pumpkin spice and sugar on a plate. Dip the rim of your martini glass into the Pumpkin Spice Latte, then dip into the pumpkin spice and sugar mixture. Set glass aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Velvet Cinn, and vanilla vodka. Shake vigorously. Pour into your rimmed martini glass.

Okay, one cocktail down, one to go.

It’s hard to move on to our second concoction because, as you can see, I was already enjoying it.

OK, for this next drink, we’re going classic with an amazingly delicious combination of peppermint and mocha. Again, the Peppermint Mocha really shines in this martini. It’s the flavor of the holidays.

I’m bringing out the creamy, chocolateness with a little Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and some whipped cream vodka. Seriously, this combination should be illegal.

An adorable mini candy cane is a quick and easy garnish for this drink.

Time to mix one up!

Peppermint Mocha Martini

Here’s what you’ll need:

3 ounce Bolthouse Peppermint Mocha
1 ounce Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
1 ounce whipped cream vodka
Miniature candy cane for garnish

Begin by hanging a miniature candy cane on the side of your martini glass. Set glass aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the Peppermint Mocha, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, and whipped cream vodka. Shake vigorously. Pour into your martini glass.

Positively festive, right?

You can bet I’ll be serving these at my next party. It really doesn’t get any easier.

And since I promised you three recipes today, I have one more to share with you. We’re going to make some easy Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes.

Around this time of year, I’m all about semi-homemade. I also love recipes that are packed with flavor. Thankfully, these cupcakes provide the best of both worlds.

Spice cake is one of my favorites. In all honesty, I love it when it’s made exactly as directed on the package. Today, however, I’m giving the box mix a flavor boost by using Bolthouse Pumpkin Spice Latte in place of the water. This one simple trick makes the flavor of pumpkin and spice really shine through.

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Here’s what you will need:
1 box spice cake mix
1 cup Bolthouse Pumpkin Spice Latte
3 whole eggs
1/3 cup oil

Just follow the directions on the box substituting the Pumpkin Spice Latte for the water . Then bake according to the direction on the box. Once the cupcakes have cooled, it’s time for some icing.

To me, there’s no substitute for homemade, so I used my go-to recipe with one itty-bitty change.

IBC Go-To Cream Cheese Frosting

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 cup (2 sticks)unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese
4 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons Bolthouse Pumpkin Spice Latte

Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter and cream cheese (on medium speed) until completely smooth. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at time, beating after each addition. Add the vanilla and continue beating. Then, add the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Finally, mix in the Pumpkin Spice Latte until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.

Adding the Pumpkin Spice Latte gives your frosting a wonderful depth of flavor.

To finish the cupcakes, I sprinkled them with a dusting of cinnamon and added a striped straw to make them look like little lattes.

And that’s it, friends! Three easy and delicious recipes for your holiday entertaining! Which do you think you’d like the best?

Be sure to check out all of the deliciousness Bolthouse Farms has to offer including their three new holiday drinks: Pumpkin Spice Latte, Peppermint Mocha and Holiday Nog. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. If you need more ideas for holiday entertaining, I’ve teamed up with Bolthouse for an “I Entertain for the Holidays” Pinterest board. It’s full of healthy and delicious recipes and beautiful ideas for seasonal decorating. Follow along here.

Finally, a quick shout out to my fellow 12 Days of Christmas bloggers. Be sure to check out what holiday-inspired ideas they are sharing today.

Donna from Funky Junk

Marianne from Songbird

Whitney and Ashley from Shanty2Chic

KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms

Cassity – Remodelaholic

And if you haven’t had enough inspiration today, take a look at these fabulous bloggers who are sharing junk-inspired Christmas decor ideas. It may just be more inspiration than you can handle.

Susan – Homeroad

Bliss – Bliss Ranch

Becky – Beyond the Picket Fence

Beth – Unskinny Boppy

Carlene – Organized Clutter

Laurel – Chipping with Charm

Breida – Breida with a B

Angie – Knick of Time

Join me back here tomorrow for Day 3!

Happy Holidays!

This post was created as part of my collaboration with Bolthouse Farms and their three new seasonal drinks (Holiday Nog, Pumpkin Spice Latte and Peppermint Mocha). Click here for a $1.00 off coupon.  As always, the thoughts and ideas are my own.